CentralCoaster wrote:
But for what you're talking about, you really don't need an operation, you just have to be choosy about what parts of town you "loiter" in.

LOWELL, Mass. -- As three people await trial in connection with an illegal cosmetic surgery in Framingham, a Lowell couple arrested three years ago for operating an illegal clinic have never been prosecuted.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that a Lowell health inspector discovered the makeshift clinic in 2003. It was operated by Sipha Ouk and his wife, Dary Hours. They allegedly performed breast enlargements and other cosmetic surgery. But the couple jumped bail, never to be seen again.

The city's health director said in any event, it would have been difficult to prosecute them for more than illegal possession of hypodermic needles.

"The board of registration of medicine, in particular, only regulates medical professionals. So, if you are not already a medical professional, it can't discipline you, so practicing medicine without a license, I thought, was something that would be able to be thrown at someone. It turns out that apparently, it is not that easy to do," Lowell Health Director Frank Singleton said.

Singleton said charging them with assault would have required a victim. Cambodian community leaders said it is difficult to get victims of procedures gone bad to step forward. Officials said it is also hard to track down the clinics that some say operate all over the city.

"They operate in a kind of hush, hush type of environment, and people don’t like to, you know, say, 'I got my eyes done,' because they want to look naturally beautiful. Therefore, these things don't come out unless there is a major problem," Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association's Vong Ros said.

Ros said regardless of warnings about how dangerous the procedures are, the demand for underground eye, lip and nose reconstruction is high because it is culturally acceptable.

"The pressure of looking good in the U.S. is tremendous on people. The clinics are cheap and they are marketed through the community," Ros said.

Ros said the practices are acceptable to many immigrants because the procedures are often unregulated and popular back in their native countries.

Even reports of infections and disfigurement can't encourage victims to step forward. Singleton said he can't take action if he can't get into the clinics, which are usually located in backrooms or basements.

Unfortunately, prosecutors said, too often, they can only act when there has been a death.

TommyT-Bone wrote:
You go girl .......I mean boy ........